Health Secretary Frank Dobson has condemned the condition of many NHS hospitals - calling them "dumps".

In a talk to an open meeting in Easingwold, he gave a candid description of the state of some of the worst medical centres, saying a lot of work was still to be done to get the health service's infrastructure fully on its feet.

In a talk entitled "How do we deliver a modern, dependable NHS?" the York-born Health Secretary said: "If you go to some hospitals they are what you could describe as dumps. A bloody disgrace. York District Hospital isn't one of them, but many are.

"Some of the most highly qualified and educated people in the country are expected to do their work in these dumps. This is why we have started work on 15 major new hospital developments and others are in the pipeline."

Mr Dobson also revealed many of his plans for the future of the NHS while addressing locals at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold.He spoke of the importance of using technology to introduce 'Telemedicine", which would be particularly useful in rural areas for remote diagnoses via scans and X-rays beamed down phone lines.

Malcolm Palmer, chief officer of York's Community Health Council, said of Mr Dobson's comments: "Thank goodness we haven't got any dumps in the York area.

"And York Health Services Trust has plans to go on re-vamping York District Hospital.

"I can't say anything about other Trusts not doing as well, but Mr Dobson's comments acknowledge efforts being made at York Health Services Trust."

see COMMENT 'Time to rid the NHS of dumps'

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